Dip in number of casualties on NH-8

At least 40-km stretch of the national highway-8 which falls in Gurgaon witnessed less number of accidental deaths in the past one year, thanks to various road safety measures.

Last year, the total number of casualties along the entire stretch between Sirhol toll plaza to Kapriwas was 136, less than the figure of 163 registered in 2011.

The 27-km Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, which is part of this 40-km long highway, also registered only 55 deaths as compared to previous year’s 89, according to the city traffic police.

However, the total number of casualties across the city was almost equal to the previous year’s figure. The number of accidental deaths registered all over Gurgaon, including NH-8, Faridabad Road, Sohna Road and other roads, last year was 438, while it was 437 in 2011.

According to the police, the accident toll came down due to various traffic awareness campaigns even though the department had limited workforce.

Deputy commissioner of police (east), Maheshwar Dayal, had been given the additional charge of traffic department ever since the previous DCP (Traffic), Bharti Arora, had been transferred to Rewari as SSP last year.

Besides, Dayal has also been handling the responsibility of the joint commissioner of police whose post became vacant after JCP Anil Kumar was appointed as the IGP Rohtak Range.

The data shows that majority of accident victims on the highway were pedestrians followed by two- and three-wheeler users.